Already in possession of faster runners in Maurice Morris and Julius Jones, as well as a versatile fullback in Leonard Weaver, it wasn't obvious to the Seahawks coach when, where and how to play a 260-pound running back in the West Coast offense.

A solution seemed to dawn Sunday on Holmgren -- give him the ball and let the other team worry about it.

After just two carries for 3 yards in the first two games, Duckett broke through for two touchdowns and 79 yards in 19 carries, while also exhibiting some nimbleness in the open field.

True, the 37-13 triumph was against the St. Louis Rams, who are having trouble holding their breath, much less opposing NFL offenses. Still, Duckett mashed them as a thunderous alternative to his new teammate, Julius Jones.

He even provided some lightning, bursting for 29 yards in the fourth quarter, one of his six consecutive carries, including the 1-yard score that put the Seahawks up 34-13.

Suddenly, it seems the Seahawks are a load at running back.

"I will admit to the fact that I knew least about T.J.," Holmgren said of the seventh-year running back from Michigan State. "I knew he was going to be a short-yardage back for us, but in the situation like we had today, where we wanted to control the clock, he's a good guy to have.

"He's a big, strong man, a different style of runner. I think they complement one another."

Duckett wound up with his fourth team in four years when the Seahawks surprised the NFL by signing him to a five-year, $13 million offer, although just $4 million is guaranteed.

That's a fair chunk of cash for someone with no defined role in a changing offense. In the preseason, Duckett seemed lost.

"I was doing a lot of things, playing a lot of positions, just trying to learn the offense," he said. "When you get an opportunity, you do what you can."

Duckett's squatty power makes him an obvious choice for the mean 1-yarder, and he's made his peace with it.

"I've been doing this my whole career," he said. "Everyone wants the football, and there's only one to go around."

Many fans were critical when the Seahawks let go Justin Forsett, a 5-foot-8, 190-pound running back and seventh-round pick from Cal. He showed promise in the preseason, while Duckett was nearly invisible.

But with the jelling of the offense Sunday, Duckett's smash-mouth value is becoming apparent.

"I think we're just getting comfortable with each other," he said. "It's tough to get things going early in the season. There are a whole lot of different backs here who can run. I think the line is starting to get a feel of what each back does.